“Then thou hast thrown a great load of debt on my hands,” said Flosi, “but still I looked for as much from thee.”

Thence Flosi and his men fared to Crosswick.  Thorkel Geiti’s son was a great friend of his.  Flosi told him his errand, and Thorkel said it was but his duty to stand by him in every way in his power, and not to part from his quarrel.  Thorkel gave Flosi good gifts at parting.

Thence they fared north to Weaponfirth and up into the Fleetdale country, and turned in as guests at Holmstein’s, the son of Bersi the wise.  Flosi told him that all had backed him in his need and business well, save Saurli Broddhelgi’s son.  Holmstein said the reason of that was that he was not a man of strife.  Holmstein gave Flosi good gifts.

Flosi fared up Fleetdale, and thence south on the fell across Oxenlava and down Swinehorndale, and so out by Alftafirth to the west, and did not stop till he came to Thvattwater to his father-in-law Hall’s house.  There he stayed half a month, and his men with him and rested him.

Flosi asked Hall what counsel he would now give him, and what he should do next, and whether he should change his plans.

“My counsel,” said Hall, “is this, that thou goest home to thy house, and the sons of Sigfus with thee, but that they send men to set their homesteads in order.  But first of all fare home, and when ye ride to the Thing, ride all together, and do not scatter your band.  Then let the sons of Sigfus go to see their wives on the way.  I too will ride to the Thing, and Ljot my son with all our Thingmen, and stand by thee with such force as I can gather to me.”

Flosi thanked him, and Hall gave him good gifts at parting.

Then Flosi went away from Thvattwater, and nothing is to be told of his journey till he comes home to Swinefell.  There he stayed at home the rest of the winter, and all the summer right up to the Thing.

CHAPTER CXXXIV.

OF THORHALL AND KARI.

Thorhall Asgrim’s son, and Kari Solmund’s son, rode one day to Mossfell to see Gizur the white; he took them with both hands, and there they were at his house a very long while.  Once it happened as they and Gizur talked of Njal’s burning, that Gizur said it was very great luck that Kari had got away.  Then a song came into Kari’s mouth.

  I who whetted helmet-hewer,[74]
  I who oft have burnished brand,
  From the fray went all unwilling
  When Njal’s rooftree crackling roared;
  Out I leapt when bands of spearmen
  Lighted there a blaze of flame! 
  Listen men unto my moaning,
  Mark the telling of my grief.

Then Gizur said, “It must be forgiven thee that thou art mindful, and so we will talk no more about it just now”.